I have stacks of these "pots". To create drainage holes, I simply stack 6-10 cups and poke an ice pick though the bottoms, all at one time. I poke 6-8 holes.

On principle, at our farm we try to use as much as we can with all kinds of empty plastic containers. Every size is valuable and eventually can become a pot! Also one other source of very valuable leftovers are milk/O.J. cartons ( tetrapaks). They also are used as pots and they are quite durable. These by being quadrangular take up much less space! Sometimes we ask our customers for their leftover cups or plastic containers!. It is not a question of hoarding, it is instead a way to contribute for a much healthier environment and reduce unnecessary waste. This is very much a global problem that we have to tackle everywhere. Thanks donna for posting this article! congratulations

hampartsum said: ... Every size is valuable and eventually can become a pot! Also one other source of very valuable leftovers are milk/O.J. cartons ( tetrapaks). They also are used as pots and they are quite durable. These by being quadrangular take up much less space!

Also, jugs for things like laundry detergent can be used as jugs, or the bottoms cut off and turned into scoops with handles.

Simply put, when you think about it, for those who are into plants, many of the throw-away plastics can be re-purposed quite easily.

I've been saving big, clear plastic lids from food service trays at work, so I could (some day) use them as cloches to keep seeds warmer and a little drier when sown early in the (cold, wet) spring time (that seems to last forever).

Dessert and apple sauce containers also if you go that way ,

Hi, I also use the covers from cakes that I buy, They are dome shaped and just right for rooting things or seeds. I don't throw away anything. Someday I'll use that!!! Famous last words. Cillay

I've been doing this for years. When I'm finished with them, I rinse them out and soak in bleach water to sanitize and set aside to use again the next year. I use an ice pick to make holes in my cups.

Last years , waiting , well a few new ones on top ,

I also save cottage cheese and large yogurt containers when I repot vegetable seedlings from the starter tray. That way they can be large and healthy when I plant them in the garden.

I also cut milk cartons in half and make pots of them. When it's time to plant, the pot easily rips and comes off the root ball. Sadly, I have let go of my community garden plot and am now inundated in milk cartons. But they are too good to throw away!

RickCorey said:

Also, jugs for things like laundry detergent can be used as jugs, or the bottoms cut off and turned into scoops with handles.

Those containers can be used as pots for seedlings, scoops and tools,or to store garden supplies. But you might not want to use containers from non-food items.

I never reuse containers from detergent, motor oil, pesticides or other potentially toxic goods.

90 percent of the seeds I start are for edibles. If the containers entered my home containing food, I'll reuse/repurpose them for gardening uses. If the the original label on the container has warnings against ingesting the contents, or treatment instructions if you poison someone with the stuff, that container is not appropriate for my plants.

You can make your own informed decision, but consider the risks before repurposing containers for gardening uses.

For me, I err on the side of caution. I don't want to (accidentally) poison myself or anyone I know and care about.

I've only rarely had occasion to "pot up" crop seedlings, but will in the future to give things away in larger containers than "plugs".

The containers I have the most of are 20 ounce soda bottles, and after that, 2 liter soda bottles. Despite all the sugar and artificial sweeteners and flavors and colors, those are probably non-toxic enough for crop seedlings.

I agree with you enough not to put crop seedlings into a washed oil jug or insecticide bottle, even if it was washed, and even if a plastic surface can be cleaned down to the milligram, level or microgram level. There's no need and little motivation.

But I don't mind using WASHED laundry detergent jugs as scoops for soilless mix or fertilizer. The intrinsic toxicity of detergent is very slight, and the amount of residue in the jug is microscopic. (A fungicide or other substantially toxic chemical would be different.)

The amount that would transfer from the jug to the mix is "microscopic squared", and the amount that managed to move from the mix to the seedling would be "microscopic cubed". The amount that would persist from the seedling to the fruit would be "microscopic to the fourth power" and at that point, it would have had to be plutonium or Agent Orange with extra dioxin for me to worry.

But I never gave much thought to sowing crop seedlings IN containers that used to be toxic. I think you're right and that COULD transfer a detectable amount of a toxin to something one ate, say a root crop or baby-leaf lettuce. And many gardeners are aiming to avoid not only overt, detectable harm, but ANY unnecessary ingestion of anything harmful.

It's a good point.

I eat a lot of yogurt, so I have been starting seeds in yogurt cups for some years now. They are just the right size. Didn't think about saving to share with friends at an RU. Will have to do that next time. I also scoop with them!

Thank you for all the wonderful comments and response guys. No matter what hubby Joe says now, I don't feel so bad now. Why he had me feeling like I was nasty. You guys make me feel good again! I'm just normal! Plant normal! He's the nut!

Just tell hubby: "Waste not - want not". If he doesn't straighten up, I may have to drive up there and give him my "plant-lecture".

From the Great Depression:

"Use it up, wear it out. Make it do or do without."